Dirty little secret
Feb 1, 2012 23:17:29 #
This is a question about sensor cleaning, particularly for those who use DSLR cameras with interchangeable lenses.
Im interested in your responses because I am on the verge of acquiring my first DSLR, and cleaning the sensor is something peculiar to DSLRs, as opposed to 35mm film.
How do you deal with a dirty sensor (one in which dirt is visible in your images)? Do you clean the sensor yourself, or do you have it done by someone else?
How do you clean your sensor? How often?
How much of PITA factor is sensor cleaning?
I look forward to this discussion.
Im interested in your responses because I am on the verge of acquiring my first DSLR, and cleaning the sensor is something peculiar to DSLRs, as opposed to 35mm film.
How do you deal with a dirty sensor (one in which dirt is visible in your images)? Do you clean the sensor yourself, or do you have it done by someone else?
How do you clean your sensor? How often?
How much of PITA factor is sensor cleaning?
I look forward to this discussion.
Feb 1, 2012 23:27:35 #
We have a local camera store that will clean it. Takes about an hour if you bring first thing in the morning. The guy told me yesterday mine was dirty and I'm in luck cuz it's on sale for $15 to clean it. This week. So I'm going to take it back to have him clean it.
Feb 1, 2012 23:38:10 #
Real men clean their own sensors. Real women, too.
Self cleaning sensors are great, but the time will come when something sticks that won't shake off.
Changing lenses out of the wind and in not-too-dusty areas can help - but nothing is going to stop it entirely.
I have been cleaning mine since 2003 - just not a big deal if you are the least bit careful.
Here are some links - pick your system.
http://www.copperhillimages.com/index.php?pr=tutorials
http://www.visibledust.com/
http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/sensor-cleaning.shtml
http://bythom.com/cleaning.htm
Self cleaning sensors are great, but the time will come when something sticks that won't shake off.
Changing lenses out of the wind and in not-too-dusty areas can help - but nothing is going to stop it entirely.
I have been cleaning mine since 2003 - just not a big deal if you are the least bit careful.
Here are some links - pick your system.
http://www.copperhillimages.com/index.php?pr=tutorials
http://www.visibledust.com/
http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/sensor-cleaning.shtml
http://bythom.com/cleaning.htm
Feb 1, 2012 23:38:39 #
I take it to my local camera store and they clean it for me. They do it free of charge for preferred customers once a year.
Feb 2, 2012 06:36:45 #
[quote=CaptainC]Real men clean their own sensors. Real women, too.
Captain, if I take a picture of the sky and determine dust on the sensor, example to right of picture. Looking in at the sensor in mirror lock-up mode would the dust be located in the top left/bottom left/top right/bottom right of the sensor?
Captain, if I take a picture of the sky and determine dust on the sensor, example to right of picture. Looking in at the sensor in mirror lock-up mode would the dust be located in the top left/bottom left/top right/bottom right of the sensor?
Feb 2, 2012 06:37:35 #
[quote=CaptainC]Real men clean their own sensors. Real women, too.
Captain, if I take a picture of the sky and determine dust on the sensor, example top right of picture. Looking in at the sensor in mirror lock-up mode would the dust be located in the top left/bottom left/top right/bottom right of the sensor?
Captain, if I take a picture of the sky and determine dust on the sensor, example top right of picture. Looking in at the sensor in mirror lock-up mode would the dust be located in the top left/bottom left/top right/bottom right of the sensor?
Feb 2, 2012 06:55:55 #
Feb 2, 2012 07:27:13 #
I agree w/ the Captain. No need to shy away from cleaning the sensor yourself -- if you are very careful and methodical. One additional tip: I always carry a pocket rocket and, when changing lenses, give the body a few good blasts of air to move any non-sticking dust particles off the sensor & mirror. And if I see that dust bunnies are on my images, then I give the body a few blasts. That technique does nothing for any particle that is truely stuck on your mirror or sensor. But it often does the trick and, for me, greatly reduces the frequency of having to clean the sensor itself. And at the end of the shooting day, part of my post-shooting regimen is to inspect, and if necessary clean, the rear element of the lenses I used to ensure that on the next shoot, I'm not putting a dirty rear lens element into the camera body. FWIW.
Feb 2, 2012 07:29:41 #
ziastars wrote:
quote=CaptainC Real men clean their own sensors. ... (show quote)
Once again, Captain C is "spot on" but DO NOT buy cheap swabs or cleaner......and do not try to clean the swabs after using...just throw away. Visable Dust is our choice for supplies. The Artic Butterfly is on sale at present.
Feb 2, 2012 08:59:25 #
Same here as the Captain. Got the Visible Dust Sensor Loupe to see the crap, the Giotto Rocket for blowing off the flotsam and jetsam, then the cleaning kit from Copper Hill Images. And I support NikonShooter, do not think about going cheap -- use professional equipment. It is not that expensive compared to the cost of the sensor you are cleaning.
And make sure the battery is fully charged before starting. You do not want the shutter to decide to close while you're in there mucking around. I do not use the AC adapter 'battery' (even though I've seen it recommended) because I fear Dr. Murphy will hit the power off switch while I'm cleaning.
And make sure the battery is fully charged before starting. You do not want the shutter to decide to close while you're in there mucking around. I do not use the AC adapter 'battery' (even though I've seen it recommended) because I fear Dr. Murphy will hit the power off switch while I'm cleaning.
Feb 2, 2012 09:01:08 #
erandolph
Loc: La Pine, Oregon USA
I've asked this question before. Not here though and never gotten a straight answer. Maybe someone who know will respond.
Feb 2, 2012 09:10:15 #
Speaking of self cleaning senors, I've often wondered what happens to the dust particles that are vibrated off the sensor.
They must just float around inside the camera body to settle on the sensor again some day.
They must just float around inside the camera body to settle on the sensor again some day.
Feb 2, 2012 09:46:24 #
erandolph wrote:
I've asked this question before. Not here though and never gotten a straight answer. Maybe someone who know will respond.
The artic brush by Visable dust, when used correctly, attracts the dust magnetically. Just spin the brush several times charges the fibers and then sweep it across the sensor. But I am sure a lot of dust remains somewhere in the camera body ....and will find its way to the sensor. Which is why frequent cleanings makes it impractical to send the camera off for cleaning....or to pay for someone locally to clean. It is expensive enough just to keep yourself in swabs.
Feb 2, 2012 09:50:41 #
CaptainC wrote:
Real men clean their own sensors. Real women, too.... (show quote)
I have viewed the copperhill tutorial. I was impressed by its thoroughness, but somewhat intimidated by all the warnings.
For Cap'n: since 2003, when you started cleaning your own, have you had any disasters or near-disasters? Do you clean on a regular schedule, or do you clean when only when you detect dirt? And how do you determine when the sensor is dirty?
Thanks for all the other replies, as well.
Feb 2, 2012 10:14:12 #
bdo wrote:
quote=CaptainC Real men clean their own sensors. ... (show quote)
I clean the D3 probably 3-4 times a year. I generally shoot between f2.8- to f8, so the dust is not all that visible. The smaller the aperture, the more visible it is and unless it is in areas of continuous tones, it is hard or impossible to see..
The D7000 has a self-cleaning feature and i have cleaned it once in the year I have owned it.
To the person who asked what happens to the dust on the self-cleaning units: there is a sticky area (fly paper?) below the sensor, so if you hold the camera level when cleaning, the theory is that the dust falls into this containment area.
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